Orlando Florida/Disneyworld (Part 2) *CLOSED*

aitch-aitch

We have been saving £2 coins in a sealed jar for the past 2 years which we said we would "blow" on a once in lifetime experience. We are expecting to have around £1000 by the time we go to Orlando.

We are going to Orlando at the end of Aug 09 and have decided to use our "pot" to swim with dolphins.

Now I have bored you with that:rotfl: can anyone give me feedback on Discovery Cove - where is a good place for tickets, what is the experience like, any hot tips/ do's and don'ts etc?

Help would be much appreciated

jackieblack

aitch-aitch wrote: »

We have been saving £2 coins in a sealed jar for the past 2 years which we said we would "blow" on a once in lifetime experience. We are expecting to have around £1000 by the time we go to Orlando.

We are going to Orlando at the end of Aug 09 and have decided to use our "pot" to swim with dolphins.

Now I have bored you with that:rotfl: can anyone give me feedback on Discovery Cove - where is a good place for tickets, what is the experience like, any hot tips/ do's and don'ts etc?

Help would be much appreciated

We've been twice - booked with Virgin the first time, booked direct through DC website last year.

It is a fantastic, really relaxing, day, we opted for a date at the start of our second week to 'chill out' and recover from the madness of the first week, and to give us a 'second wind' for the remaining days of the holiday.

My top tip would be to get there early, there will be a queue to check in and get the time for your Dolphin Swim (the earlier you get there, the earlier your Dolphin Swim will be) and you can then relax and enjoy the rest of the day without keep checking your watch, and as it's not a cheap day you'll want to make the most of every available minute!

For the Dolphin swim you will be given a time to be at one of three cabanas where you are put in a group of about 6-8 people, you get a video and a talk first, then wade into the water with a trainer a dolphin comes to your group and you can touch and stroke the dolphin while the trainer tells you all sorts of things about him/her. Then you swim further out in the pool in pairs and get towed back to the group, one at a time, by the dolphin. There are cameramen and photographers in the water and they take photos and film during the swim which you can view after the swim is finished and have the option to buy.

Do - take some sort of FlipFlop/croc type shoes to slip on as floors in changing areas/toilets get wet with everyone dripping water onto them

Don't - take your own sunscreen. You're not allowed to use your own sunscreen as it will contain chemicals that are not good for the dolphins and fish, they will supply you with some ' animal friendly' sunscreen on arrival when you are given your snorkelling gear (you get to keep the snorkel as a souvenir!)


It is a really fantastic day, you'll love it.

crispy71

We have been saving £2 coins in a sealed jar for the past 2 years which we said we would "blow" on a once in lifetime experience. We are expecting to have around £1000 by the time we go to Orlando.

We are going to Orlando at the end of Aug 09 and have decided to use our "pot" to swim with dolphins.

Now I have bored you with that:rotfl: can anyone give me feedback on Discovery Cove - where is a good place for tickets, what is the experience like, any hot tips/ do's and don'ts etc?

Help would be much appreciated

To keep it short and sweet, it is a fantastic place! I thought I was in the pool with the rays for about half an hours, looked at my watch to discover I had been in there 2 hrs! The place is so relaxing you will not want to leave...

junpit

Hi

Sorry for asking this twice. Its a big thread annd the wife has asked me to bump it.

I would like opinions on the comfort Inn in Lake Buena Vista. The reviews are mixed but just wanted a place pretty close to the action.

I've been to Orlando loads but never to this hotel.

Can anybody tell me what snacks they sell in the bar. I know you can order pizza in the QIP at night and was wondering if the same if true at the comfort inn. I know the bar doesnt close until late for example.

Thanks

Darren

disney_cjd

junpit wrote: »

Hi

Sorry for asking this twice. Its a big thread annd the wife has asked me to bump it.

I would like opinions on the comfort Inn in Lake Buena Vista. The reviews are mixed but just wanted a place pretty close to the action.

I've been to Orlando loads but never to this hotel.

Can anybody tell me what snacks they sell in the bar. I know you can order pizza in the QIP at night and was wondering if the same if true at the comfort inn. I know the bar doesnt close until late for example.

Thanks

Darren

HI Darren

I have never stayed there but obviously have gone past it many times. I nearly stayed there once when we used to package holiday with Virgin but went with the old Marriott in Hotel Plaza Blvd which is now the Holiday inn.

I'd ignore what the TripAdvisor says. That site drives me mad, its either full of whinging Americans that where never given a free upgrade so ripped it to bits or its all backpackers.

If this is the one 8442 Palm Pkwy. , Lake Buena Vista, FL, US, 32836 | Phone: (407) 996-7300 Fax: (407) 996-1475 then why not givem them a call. If you want a cheap way to call teh USA for a penny a min use https://www.cherrycall.com

HTH
Craig

disney_cjd

Temujin wrote: »

Hi, Was thinking of going to Orlando again with the missus & Kids during July or August, Usually stay in a Hotel but this year We thought we might rent a villa . Can anybody please recommend a reputable website for renting a Villa during our stay ? Also where is the best area to stay ?, looking for somewhere near Disney + other attractions but also quiet as well. Friends have suggested Lake berkely & Indian point . Any Views ?

Stay in Formosa Gardebs, Emerlad Isalnd that sort of area. Also look at sites like https://www.lastminutevillas.net or https://www.allstarvactionhomes.com

disney_cjd

magicmakem wrote: »

Hello, Im new to this so bare with me....ta!

Thinking of going to Disney next year either April or October, when is the best time to go?

5 x Adults 3 x Children

Would you recommend driving or shuttle buses?

Any recomendations ie: Villa, Hotel, Self catering aparts?

Tickets.....Disney/Universal/Sea World

Want to try and keep the cost down as low as possible etc.

And any other tips would be helpful.....Thank you.

Keith

Keith

My view - October woudl be better than April as you can avoid easter, srping break etc. Whilst October you have half term yo uwill also get to do the Halloween poarties etc. If you are able to go other times then either June or first two weeks September. Those will be the cheapest by far. Disney value period will start on Aug 19 so anyt time after that will get better. September is also better as UK schools obviously back

As for where to stay - thats your call - each has their own merits. I think you need to decide if you want a villa or hotel. If a villa there are lots of places here on this thread, just have alook through. If hotel you need to decide if youa re on or off property. Again lots of consideration.

Car/Shuttle bus - well either again,. Car woudl be easier but buses would be fine. If you went with car you might want to cosnider TWO cars rather than one big bus give you options.

As I say take a look on this thread, also consider some of the excellent guide books like the Unoffical Guide to WDW or The BRits Guide etc.
Cheers

disney_cjd

Nikkisun wrote: »

It's currently $79.88 for an adult one day pass into Magic Kingdom ($67.10 for a child).

$42.60 adult, $36.21 child for a one day waterpark ticket.

These will be plus tax and do not include hopping (hopping adds about $50 per ticket).

if you are buying in the US then go to https://www.touringplans.com which is the website of theUnoffical Guide to WDW and selected the cheapest ticket option of the left hand side. It will allow you to search for the best price for you for hwat you want A really excellent systems

disney_cjd

stuart_75 wrote: »

Thanks for the replies. Thank god my son is just under 3, but for the occasional visitor Disney dont represent good value does it? They want you to spend 14 days trudging round their parks dont they?

I think it all depends.

a 3 year will have LOTS of fun at all the parks. Obvioulsy MK is the ain park for him but there are things for hima t all of them. The 14 day is better in that you cna take you time and do a few hours a day etc but then the 1 days are great for a day out.

I have been going to Disney with my kids since they coudl walk and they love being there from dawn to dusk so you can do it either way

disney_cjd

angelheart wrote: »

Hi

has anyone any expereince of using the disney dining plan. Do people feel it saves money. Plan only to be off site for 4 days

thanks :A

Actually if youa re not going to be in Disney the whole time then yes its great for the time you areon DIsney but I would suggest you do Disney first with the DDP and then off site after that.

You need to plan your meals really to get the most from it and you have to use all of your credits up at the end as nothing is saved for another day.

I also like the flexibility in that you can save credits for a later date whilst on your plan. So if you want to eat at the Yachtsman or CaL Grill you can use two credits